91st Effexor Update - Feeling Poor

July 14, 2026

The last days were mostly okey, but i was in a bad mood at a big gig last Thursday and fumbled it a little, couldn‘t really remember the notes, the days after were better and today is poor again, feel depressed and mentally blocked. I will start a Saffran-Extract as i‘m longing for more stability. On the days i‘m fine i remember well and play well, do my stuff. A day like today is strange, i feel blocked, anxious, even thought i would drop into a panic attack without any reasons. I start to believe this means indeed recurrent depression and not only waves. I know i did not have this before the crash on ADs. It‘s quite exhausting. I continue tapering when i feel better again but i start longing for stability. Anyways, at least the Venlafaxine needs to go. These damn meds. Have a good one peeps!

Steve’s taper progress

Dose (mg)

Mood (/10)

off Stimulants (2000-2013)
off Fluoxetine (2010-2013)
off Lamotrigine (2013-2016)
off Quetiapain (2016-2020)

currently Effexor — 33mg — 13 years (from 300mg) — actively tapering | with clinician

6 Replies

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BasedStaffJul 14

Community AnchorEffexor

Hey Steve, thanks for the checking sorry to hear your gig didnt go as planned.

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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CatinaJul 14

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @Steve, thanks for the update. Nice to hear from you, although I'm sorry you're having a hard time. I know you want to find ways to help your taper, but please use caution with supplements as they could have unexpected results, especially ones that affect the CNS. Let us know how it goes, okay? Sending you healing vibes! Catina 💜

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

DuloxiJul 14

Community AnchorCymbalta · holding

Hi Steve, Take your time and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just three days ago, I thought I was stuck and that things would never get better—very similar to what you're describing. I reviewed my tapering log and decided to make a very small dose increase (from 12 mg to 12.33 mg). I've been feeling significantly better for the past three days, and I've learned to always prioritize stability over speed.

Cymbalta — 20mg(12mg) — 17 Jahre — holding -with clinician - 90 mg – 2021: First tapering attempt.
60 mg – 2023: Second tapering attempt.
With a doctor's supervision—but unfortunately, a doctor who doesn't know how to properly taper off an antidepressant.

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BasedStaffJul 14

Community AnchorEffexor

"I've been feeling significantly better for the past three days," — @Duloxi84

Way to go my friend, wonderful contribution

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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CatinaJul 14

Community AnchorEffexor

"always prioritize stability over speed" — @Duloxi84

This is the KEY! 🔑

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CatinaJul 25

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @Steve, we haven't heard from you lately. Are you doing okay? Thinking of you and hoping all is well! Catina 🩷

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